Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Jordan (Norfolk CC).

Rachael Wood made the Committee aware that her husband worked for the East Sussex Pension Fund.

RESOLVED that the open minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 & 5 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

EXEMPT ITEMS

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESTRICTED ITEMS

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(1)          Nicola Mark (Norfolk) updated the Joint Committee on interim ACCESS communications arrangements prior to the agreement and resourcing of a full communications policy and strategy.  

(2)          RESOLVED that the update on ACCESS interim communications arrangements be noted.             

(Peter Hugh-Smith, Karl Midl and Denise Jones from LiNK Fund Solutions all attended the meeting for this item)

(1)          Andrew Boutflower (Hants) updated the Joint Committee on the progress of finalising ACCESS’ Operator Agreement with LiNK and the establishment of its ACS and sub-funds. 

(2)          Members discussed the timetable for engaging with LiNK and for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). 

(3)          The representatives from LiNK Fund Solutions presented to Members and answered questions and noted comments from Members.  Members of the Committee would be invited to comment on the LiNK Prospectus whilst acknowledging that LiNK had ownership of this document. 

(4)          There would be an update on progress made by LiNK at the additional meeting. 

(5)             RESOLVED that

(a)          approval of the voting guidelines for the ACCESS sub-funds be delegated to Andrew Boutflower in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the ACCESS Joint Committee.

(b)          the remainder of the report, including that the dating of the Operator Agreement with Link, the progress in the creation of ACCESS’ ACS and sub-funds and the delay to the sub-fund application and launch be noted.

(1)          Nicola Mark (Norfolk) and Barry Mack (Muse Advisory) updated the Joint Committee on the work done by MUSE and the Governance Working Group.

(2)          Members discussed a meeting held with Section 151 Officers and suggested that the S151 Officers for ACCESS authorities be added to the distribution list for Joint Committee Papers. 

(3)          Members requested that an update on progress with the governance arrangements be submitted to the next meeting. 

(4)          RESOLVED that:

(a)   the “Statement of Purpose” and the draft contents for the Governance Manual be approved

(b)   the update from Muse be noted

(c)   an additional meeting of the Joint Committee be held in 6 weeks’ time.

(1)          Mark Whitby (Northamptonshire) updated the Committee on the status of the Establishment Phase work plan along with the associated resourcing and project risk implications. 

(2)          At Members request the list of officers and their roles would be put on the restricted part of the ACCESS website for reference

(3)          Officers undertook to provide an update on progress with Phase 2 at the next meeting. 

(4)     RESOLVED that

(a)  the progress against the work plan and the resourcing and risk implications be noted

(b)  the 2017-18 updated budget be approved.

(1)  Patrick Towey (Hertfordshire) updated Members on the UBS issues. 

(2)  RESOLVED that the verbal update be noted. 

DCLG Spring Progress Report – verbal update

(1)          Kevin McDonald (Essex) updated Members on the MHCLG Spring Progress Report.   

(2)  RESOLVED that the verbal update be noted.  

(1)          Members considered calling an addition to the programmed meeting which was scheduled for 11 June 2018 an interim meeting be held during w/c 23 April to update the Joint Committee on;

a.    Governance

b.    LiNK

c.    Phase 2

(2)          RESOLVED that an interim meeting be held during the week commencing 23 April 2018. 

(Post meeting note – the interim meeting of the Joint Committee will be held on Thursday 26 April 2018)